Hope is Alive - Testimony

March 14, 2020

Hope Is Alive (HIA) was approved by the Internal Revenue Service on November 1, 2013 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The idea for the organization was born nearly a year before when our Executive Director, Lance Lang, received treatment for his own struggle with drugs and alcohol in 2011.

In order to hold themselves accountable and remain sober, Lance and five other newly sober men chose to rent a house together. The experience and life-change that took place between the six men defied all statistics on recovering addicts. Families and marriages were restored, spiritual growth and leadership began to flourish, and all men began excelling in their chosen career paths. Through that experience, Lance realized a substantial need for families and communities in Oklahoma affected by addiction. Six years later, Hope Is Alive has evolved from one men’s home to 18 homes (6 women’s, 1 alumni, 11 men’s). Since 2013, our program has grown from five beds to 179!

We pride ourselves in having a long-term program that is unlike any other in the country. Men and women leave our program equipped emotionally, professionally, spiritually, financially, with their families restored and a toolkit of life skills that enable them to contribute mightily to their respective community. If men and women are looking for accountability, growth, sustained sobriety and radical life-change, they can find it at Hope Is Alive.

Chelsea Williams struggled with addiction for over 15 years. She moved into the Hope is Alive program on April 29th, 2016. Chelsea’s story of transformation is nothing short of a miracle! Here is a part of her story:

My name is Chelsea Williams. I was raised in Harrah, Oklahoma along with three older brothers. Needless to say, I grew up quite the Daddy’s girl. In my childhood, my parents viewed success as what life looked like on the outside no matter how chaotic it was on the inside.

My mind was set at a very early age that I needed to be perfect in everything I did whether it be sports or school. Naturally, these expectations came with a lot of pressure. Prescription pills took ahold of my life pretty early on, beginning with Adderall to help me study and give me energy for sports. It was very normal as I made my way through high school, but I’ll never forget how I felt the day I tried pain pills for the first time at 19 years old. I had never felt such bliss and had never been more comfortable in my own skin.

My self worth went downhill pretty quickly for me. I kept finding myself in situations I never thought I’d be in, such as writing fake prescriptions, being homeless, and losing guardianship of my beautiful babies. Sadly this became normal for me.

While I was locked away detoxing off of the drugs, I just knew there had to be something better for me out there. Little did I know, God wasn’t done with me yet! In fact, He had a BIG purpose for my life that He was about to reveal!

Hope is Alive is where my journey switched from chasing after drugs to chasing after God! I have never felt God’s presence more than when I’m surrounded by my HIA family. Because of Hope is Alive, I now have custody of my two sons! I got married to my best friend and soulmate after 13 years of dating (he also went through the HIA program). I went from homeless to being a new homeowner! My future is bright today and my connection with God is stronger than it’s ever been. I owe everything to the Hope is Alive program and God who was there every step of the way!

< Older Post

Newer Post >